Need Advice

[TXRose]

We're a family of four (boys are 6 & and we live in Texas.  I've been looking on Craigslist for used popups until recently when I dropped in at a RV place to see if they had any used ones for sale.  Something else caught my eye.  It was a Jayco Jayfeather Export.  It had a lot more bells and whistles than what I had been originally looking for, but what really had me was that the body of it was fiberglass and just the ends where the beds are were canvas.  To me, that said it was more durable plus it would be less set up time.  Also, I would imagine that the A/C would be contained inside better with the fiberglass body than the canvas.  It will obviously take up more space to store than a pop up, but I wasn't planning on keeping it in our garage.  We will need to store it elsewhere.  I found a place that will charge us $60 a month for covered storage.

Can anyone give me some cons on the Jayfeather Export?

The one that we were looking at was a 2008 for $13,900.  I don't know that we necessarily need a 2008.  I'd prefer to have a older one with a smaller price tag.  

Whatever we buy, I want to hold onto it for quite some time.  I don't want to buy something that we will grow out of quickly or that will wear out quickly.

Any advice would be appreciated.

[OC Campers]

This type of unit is what we call a "hybrid" or HTT.  A lot of popup campers move up to a hybrid for many reasons.  

pros
1)  the feeling of sleeping under canvas.  We love our popups but like        having  a few more creature comforts,  
 
2)  full bathroom with walls and a door
 
3)  larger holding tanks for grey/black/fresh water
 
4)  able to access the fridge or load the camper at any time
 
5)  able to pull over at rest areas and eat in camper
 
6)  more space to move around
 
Cons
1)  sometimes harder to tow, backup, procure a campsite
 
2)  lower gas mileage on the tow vehicle
 
3)  some people need to pay storage on a larger trailer
 
4)  larger/pricier tv (tow vehicle) to tow the trailer
 
The pros definately out weigh the cons so it all comes down to your personal preferance.    I know a lot of previous popup owners who have moved onto a hybrid and just love them.  I don't know if there is less setup because if you have more space you tend to bring more stuff with you (ar least we do:rolleyes: )
 
Jacqui

[Calstate361]

I agree with Jacqui.  We moved up from a Starcraft PUP to a Starcraft Hybred with the couch area that bumped out.   We loved it for a while until I got tired of crawling over the U shaped dinning area to make and get into the bed.  We used the back bunk for storage since there was only us 2.  Another good thing that Jacqui didn't point out is that with the new one you get the warranty that you don't get with a used one.   Also, some of the hybreds are the same price as the PUP, so why not if you have the tow vehicle to pull it with.  It was really nice when we traveled to Montana and had an overnight stop before we got to Bozeman where my cousins live.  We didn't have to put down the bunk ends, we just slept on the couch and the dinning area for the one night.  That alone makes it worth it.

As Jacqui said, it's your decision to get what you want as you are the one paying for it.

GOOD LUCK

Joan

[erich0521]

I'd love to have a hybrid someday.

However, the biggest concern is the weight and what your tow vehicle can handle.  My Pop up has a GVWR of about #2,900 lbs.  My Sienna minivan is rated GVWR of #3,500 lbs.  I need to add myself and my family's weight as it's part of the equation.  ie. I can't imagine pulling something bigger at all.

Our Jeep Gr Cherokee (V8 and factory tow package) is rated to #5,000 lbs.  I still don't think that's quite the vehicle to pull a heavy Hybrid.

Therefore, what do you intend to tow this with?  What is the GVWR of the Jayco?  What is the tongue weight of the Jayco.  compare to what you can tow.

I don't necessarily trust dealerships on this one.  they tend to talk about "empty or dry weight".   That would not include weight of an AC, weight of any water in your tank, the weight of the propane tank, extra options you may have, etc. etc.

I hope it works for you!

[spicyville1]

That actually is not a bad price. Shop around if you can. Even look at other RV locations in your area. I am trying to remember where you live. Either Grand Prairie or Arlington I think. If so I would go to the several locations on I35 just south of Ft Worth and start looking around there too. There is also a Jayco dealer in Mesquite. Look at all the specs on all the hybrids. You just may find another one out there you like a little more and really not much more money :book:

[TXRose]

Thanks for all the advice.  We haven't made a purchase yet.  

We just traded a minivan in for a 2006 Chevy Tahoe.  After I get used to the "new to us" ride then I'll be ready to make a decision about buying a popup or a hybrid.

I was liking the no car payments but we knew we had to get something bigger if we were going to buy a popup.  We were able to get a good trade in amount for the van and also pay cash, but we still needed to finance the balance.  If we decide to get the hybrid, we'll need to finance some of it.  If we go with a popup, we could probably just pay cash.

Decisions, decisions...

[AZsix]

Thanks for all the advice.  We haven't made a purchase yet.  

We just traded a minivan in for a 2006 Chevy Tahoe.  After I get used to the "new to us" ride then I'll be ready to make a decision about buying a popup or a hybrid.

I was liking the no car payments but we knew we had to get something bigger if we were going to buy a popup.  We were able to get a good trade in amount for the van and also pay cash, but we still needed to finance the balance.  If we decide to get the hybrid, we'll need to finance some of it.  If we go with a popup, we could probably just pay cash.

Decisions, decisions...

We had to get rid of the "no payment" mini van too when we got the pup. I love our Expedition but hate parting with the money every month. The fact that we got such a great deal on the pup helps to ease the pain.

My wife had pushed for us to get a pup but I resisted for a long time thinking I wanted to get a tt instead. When this deal came along I couldn't pass on it. Now that we have the pup I am so glad that we do. We are having a blast with it. It's easier to store, easy to tow and it's plenty roomy for the six of us. I love having all the screens open and feeling the fresh air flow through not to mention the view we get looking in any direction. I guess what I am trying to say is not to feel like you are missing out on anything by getting a pup. With all the floor plans and amenities they have in them I'm sure you can find one that works for you.

Good luck.